The Murfreesboro Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold their Equali-Tea at 4:30 this coming Tuesday (4/10/2018) afternoon at MTSU's Miller Education Center at 503 East Bell Street.

Chaired this year by Madelyn Scales Harris and Diane Turnham, the second annual Equali-Tea is a social, fundraiser, and educational program all in one. It is a hats-optional high tea hosted by the Fund and AAUW-Murfreesboro.

This event raises scholarship and programming funds for the Middle Tennessee Fund for Women and Girls. Scholarships from this non-profit organization will provide recipients $2,000 each for the school year 2018-19.

Dr. Washington Honored

The 2018 Tempest Award winner is Dr. Phyllis Hickerson-Washington. She retired as the coordinator of secondary instruction for Rutherford County Schools. Prior to that, Dr. Washington served as director of MTSU's Student Organizations and Minority Affairs.

AAUW's Chairwoman President Dr. Mary Hoffschwelle said, "Dr. Phyllis Washington has inspired countless female students and education professionals. "Her career and public service exemplify our mission of breaking down barriers for women and girls of all backgrounds."

Washington dedicated her career to students, first at MTSU where her work enabled her to help thousands of African-American students and then for Rutherford County Schools.

A native of Shelbyville, Washington also worked on the boards of several service organizations, including MTSU's National Alumni Association, Salvation Army, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, and the MTSU Foundation, and she also is a member of and busy volunteer at Murfreesboro's First Baptist Church. She is a founding member of the Eta Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Washington is married to former Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Ron Washington. They have two children, Marques and Karmel.

Dr. Cronan Keynote Speaker

The Equali-Tea's keynote speaker is Joan Cronan, the former longtime women's athletic director at the University of Tennessee. Joan Cronan will share her wisdom as the keynote speaker of the 2018 Equali-Tea. The 29 year UT veteran will tell about Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Dr. Cornan relates to that the successes by UT in both the athletic and academic realms.

Fund for Women and Girls

The Middle Tennessee Fund for Women and Girls (www.mtfwg.org), a 501(c)3 organization, is the charitable arm of the Murfreesboro Branch of AAUW.

Your contributions to the fund support graduate and undergraduate scholarships for women students at Middle Tennessee State University as well as educational programs open to the Murfreesboro community.